Umm confidence. The great intangible.
A word that everyone understands and most people can define. Why some have it and others are devoid of it, however, is irreconcilable.
In some, it seems, it is a permanent personality trait. In others it can be lost as quickly as it is gained.
Multiply that conundrum by the power of 22 and perhaps we begin to understand the peaks and troughs of teams playing Australian football, regardless of the level. It’s why coaches look for consistency of game plans, pin their faith on those who play with instinct and preach predictability.
That is why North Beach senior coach David Hynes will implore his charges to consistently play the Beach brand of football. Confidence in this game can also come from knowing exactly what a teammate will do in a particular situation.
Over the summer there has been an influx of new faces in the senior group. Some exciting talent has joined the club to complement a strong and outstanding assortment of young stars. There is a better mix of experience and youth across the board.
But blending that talent together is the challenge confronting Hynes and his coaching group. In the opening round there were more than mere flashes of the synergy, with a group of above average players showing the signs of being an above average team.
After a slow start against University, the Beach worked hard over the last three quarters and had plenty of the football. They did not instinctively know how teammates might react, but they come into round two with a better understanding of each other.
When the O’Rourke Realty A-Grade team steps out against West Coast at City Beach Oval tomorrow, those players will look around the ground and know the people around them a little better.
Last week, there were men who made their senior debuts with the club. As well as a couple, including midfield coach Dan Leishman who was returning after a few years’ absence, during which time he played in a senior premiership at Subiaco.
Tomorrow some more new faces will be injected into the team and they will be hoping to take the game up to West Coast – a club that twice defeated the Beach comfortably last season. They boast some quality players through the midfield, have some key targets up forward and rebound strongly out of the back half.
This is another season and West Coast might have their own confidence issue after a first up defeat by Trinity Aquinas.
While the A-Grade teams will play at City Beach, the D1-Grades and the Brett Jones Colts will play at Charles Riley Reserve and the D2 Grades will play at Quinns Rocks.
Fixtures, Round 2
O’Rourke Realty A-Grade
West Coast v North Beach, City Beach Oval, 2.30pm
Lifenet A-Reserves
West Coast v North Beach, City Beach Oval, 12.35pm
Plasterwise Phil Scott Colts
West Coast v North Beach, City Beach Oval, 10.40am
Hybrid Linings D1-Grade
North Beach v Mt Lawley, Charles Riley Reserve, 2.30pm
Coast to Coast Imports D1-Reserves
North Beach v Mt Lawley, Charles Riley Reserve, 12.35pm
Red Hill Brett Jones Colts
North Beach v Collegians, Charles Riley Reserve, 10.40am
Express Bins D2-Grade
Quinns v North Beach, Ridgewood Oval, 2.30pm
Fusion D2-Reserves
Quinns v North Beach, Ridgewood Oval, 12.35pm
